Design Director

As our Design Director you will be responsible for developing creative execution, and ensuring the outputs meet the high standards of the studio.

Our Design Directors are responsible for all of the projects that are running through the studio. This means they need to be guiding and influencing the development, whilst splitting specific responsibilities as necessary.

You will champion best practice by working closely with the design team to create work that conceptualises ideas into reality, possessing exceptional interactive design skills, and a thorough understanding of emerging technologies.

Along with creating exceptional work, you will also be an inspirational leader, nurturing the next generation of the design talent at W12 Studios. You will be passionate about inspiring a team and clients alike through their craft. You’ll advocate design internally, with clients and in the larger design network. You’ll also present the studio’s work articulately in order to rouse and inspire people.

At W12 Studios we work in cross-functional teams, so you will need to demonstrate a strong set of visual and UX/UI design skills, along with the practical & technical knowledge to back up ideas. As a Design Director you will lead a team of product designers that will explore user insight, generate and validate ideas and deliver engaging digital experiences.

As Design Director at W12 Studios you will be expected to:

Have strong agency or design studio experience and a background skillset in UI & UX and / or digital product design.Expert in all of Adobe CS products and SketchLeading relationships with key clients, participate in and lead both team and client workshop sessions. This will require occasional travel to client sites across the globe.Gain client and stakeholder buy-in to your ideas through effective presentation and engagement.Managing, mentoring and nurturing the Design team, making sure regular 1-2-1’s and reviews are completed for team development and driving inspiration to ensure the team stay engagedAs this role will include a large portion of day to day designing, you will be able to design through the line, across branding, motion and digitalHaving line of sight across all design work before it goes out the door, able to feedback to the team constructively and encouraginglyHave a flawless eye for craft, keen to innovate with design where appropriateBe used to, and relish in working in fast paced, ever changing environmentsLead and direct the interactive, visual, experience, typographic and stylistic output of the Design teamDrive innovation in conceptual design, process, and technologyHelp allocate the resources of the design team to projects as per their expertise and experience

Key skills and experience required of the role:

Proven experience in a senior design position within an agency or product businessA portfolio demonstrating form and function across a variety of disciplinesExcellent communication & organisation skillsStrong understanding of design fundamentals (type, space, form)A passion for emerging technologies, devices and digital products with a focus on user-centric design, with the ability to sell your vision to clientsAble to manage change effectively and calmly in a busy environmentExperience of working across a wide range of brands, and getting under the skin of each from a conceptual point of view, through to the end design outputExperience managing and coaching others; inspiring and leading Creatives to get the best out of themStrong experience presenting and working with clients in order to communicate Design in the most appropriate manner for different groups of people

About Us

W12 Studios is a digital product design agency, founded in 2012 and headquartered in London. We create iconic experiences for some of the world’s leading brands and work across 10 different countries. Our team of over 40 designers create products used by millions of people globally.

We pride ourselves in our ability to influence products at the highest level by delivering strategic ideas from inception to launch. We help our clients understand the context of their products, create a compelling vision for them and make these experiences a reality.

We believe that together we’re stronger, that inspiration can come from anywhere and great ideas from anyone.

The difference in our work comes from the diversity of perspectives, skills and backgrounds of our team.

How to apply

If you're interested in this position, please get in touch and send your CV and portfolio to [email protected]